Giuseppe Tornatore’s Doc on Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli, often celebrated as Italy’s “King of Cashmere,” is the subject of an eagerly anticipated documentary by Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore. The film, titled “Brunello: The Gracious Visionary,” is a hybrid production blending documentary and fiction elements to chronicle Cucinelli’s remarkable journey from a farmer’s son to the visionary behind a global luxury lifestyle brand. As Twenty-Nine Palms Entertainment ramps up sales efforts at the American Film Market (AFM), exclusive first-look images have emerged, generating significant buzz around this intimate portrait of a “philosopher-designer.”

“Brunello: The Gracious Visionary” – A Hybrid Portrait

The documentary “Brunello: The Gracious Visionary” offers an in-depth look at Cucinelli’s life and career, tracing his rise to becoming the creative director and executive chairman of a brand boasting a market capitalization exceeding $7.8 billion. The film is presented as an “intimate portrait” that highlights Cucinelli’s distinctive integration of humanistic values, traditional craftsmanship, and ethical entrepreneurship.

One of the film’s unique aspects is its blend of documentary storytelling with fictional re-enactments. These segments feature various actors portraying Cucinelli at different stages of his life. Francesco Ferroni is seen in a scene with a neon “BAR” sign, while Francesco Cannevale depicts a younger Cucinelli in a wheat field. Rising Italian star Saul Nanni, known for his role as Tancredi Falconeri in Netflix’s “The Leopard,” also takes on the role of Cucinelli in the re-enactments.

Twenty-Nine Palms Entertainment and the AFM Buzz

Twenty-Nine Palms Entertainment, a relatively new sales and production company based in London, is spearheading the international sales of “Brunello: The Gracious Visionary” at the American Film Market. Headed by former Amazon MGM Studios executive Edoardo Bussi, the outfit made its debut at Cannes and had a soft launch for the film in September at the Toronto International Film Festival and market. The current ramp-up in sales efforts at AFM signals a strong push for the film’s global distribution.

The Visionary Himself: Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli, born in 1953 in the ancient Umbrian hamlet of Castel Rigone, Italy, founded his eponymous company in 1978. He achieved initial success by revolutionizing the cashmere market, introducing “pop colors” at a time when colored cashmere for women was virtually nonexistent.

Cucinelli’s business philosophy, which he terms “humanistic capitalism,” is central to his brand and is expected to be a key theme in the documentary. This philosophy emphasizes ethical entrepreneurship and a commitment to producing every garment in Italy, primarily within his home region of Umbria, showcasing a deep passion for Italian craftsmanship. The film, shot in Umbria, aims to depict pivotal moments in his career that reflect these values.

Behind the Camera and On Screen

Documentary pairs director Giuseppe Tornatore, celebrated for his Oscar-winning work, with another Oscar-winning talent: composer Nicola Piovani. Piovani, known for his score in “Life Is Beautiful,” takes on the musical duties for “Brunello: The Gracious Visionary.” This collaboration follows Tornatore’s previous work with the legendary late composer Ennio Morricone, who was the subject of Tornatore’s widely distributed 2021 documentary “Ennio.” The film is produced by Italy’s Masi Film.

Release and Global Reach

“Brunello: The Gracious Visionary” is set for its Italian release on December 9, distributed by RAI Cinema’s 01 Distribution. The strategic timing of the sales push at AFM underscores the ambition for a significant global presence for this unique documentary.

Conclusion

Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary on Brunello Cucinelli offers a compelling exploration of a figure who has not only built a luxury fashion empire but has also championed a distinct philosophy of ethical business and humanistic values. With its innovative blend of documentary and fiction, combined with the talents of an Oscar-winning director and composer, “Brunello: The Gracious Visionary” is poised to offer audiences a nuanced and engaging look at one of Italy’s most influential and thoughtful entrepreneurs as Twenty-Nine Palms ramps up its global distribution efforts.